On 22 May 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved the transfer of a record ₹2.86 lakh crore surplus to the Central Government for the financial year 2025–26, marking one of the highest dividend payouts in the history of the central bank. The decision was taken during the 623rd meeting of the RBI Central Board, chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra in Mumbai.
According to the RBI, its gross income increased by 26.42% in FY26 compared to the previous financial year, while expenditure before risk provisions rose by 27.60%. The central bank reported that its net income before risk provisions reached ₹3.95 lakh crore in FY26, compared to ₹3.13 lakh crore in FY25. Meanwhile, the RBI’s balance sheet expanded by 20.61% to ₹91.97 lakh crore as of 31 March 2026.
The RBI also transferred ₹1.09 lakh crore to the Contingent Risk Buffer (CRB) while maintaining the buffer at 6.5% of the balance sheet under the revised Economic Capital Framework. During the meeting, the Board reviewed the global and domestic economic outlook, associated risks, and finalized the RBI’s annual accounts for FY2025–26.
